Rhodes University School of Journalism and Media Studies

Degrees offered

The School of Journalism and Media Studies (JMS) offers five undergraduate and postgraduate degrees and three postgraduate diplomas: diplomas in Journalism and Media Studies, Media Management, and Economics Journalism; two Master's degrees (a coursework-plus-thesis MA and a coursework-plus-practice-based-thesis MA); and doctoral supervision.

Programs and emphasis

JMS combines media theory with hands-on production training. The school operates from the purpose-built Africa Media Matrix building on the Rhodes campus, which houses seminar rooms, laboratories, and studios. It is home to CueMedia, a student journalism project producing daily online news, radio, and television during the annual National Arts Festival; the Highway Africa Centre, which hosts an annual conference for African journalists and editors; the Sol Plaatje Institute for Media Management; the South African Reserve Bank Centre for Economics Journalism; and the Public Service Accountability Monitor. The school also owns and houses Grocott's Mail, described as the oldest continually produced newspaper in South Africa, which serves as an experiential learning newsroom for students.

History

Journalism was first taught as a course in Rhodes University's English Department in 1970, with 17 students enrolled. It became a separate department in 1972 under two founding staff members, Les Switzer and Anthony Giffard. The school marked its 50th anniversary in 2022.

Key faculty and leadership

Dr. Chikezie E. Uzuegbunam: Deputy Head of School, Senior Lecturer, and Master's programme co-ordinator.
Anthea Garman: Professor at JMS and managing editor of Grocott's Mail, the community newspaper used as an experiential learning project for journalism students.

Location and contact info

Address
Rhodes University
Drostdy Road
Makhanda (Grahamstown) 6139
South Africa
Phone
046 603 8111
Website
https://www.ru.ac.za/jms/